Monday, July 18, 2011

My children have led me to prayer and worship in so many ways and for so many reasons.

Responsible for Greatness

When I consider my role as a father I instantly feel overwhelmed by the weight of the responsibility.

Our children are not only “ours.” They belong to God. Our children don’t just look like us. Our sons and daughters are made in the image of God.

So I pray. I ask for a wise and understanding heart. I pray for God’s eyes to see my children. Their potential is incredible. And I pray to cooperate with the Spirit to bring the best out of my children.

My children are young but I’m not going to wait until they are under peer pressure or rebelling to pray.

I need God right now in order to lay a solid spiritual, intellectual and emotional foundation.

In Awe of God

I’ve always been in awe of beauty. The beauty of a poem or the blue sky has often filled me with reverence for God. Our Father has given me eyes to be in awe of the beauty and wonder of my children.

I’ve learned to worship God while holding them, feeding them or cleaning them up. My children have repeatedly intruded and changed my devotional life. Most of the change is because they don’t sleep at night. But no matter how early I wake up to pray my children always find a way onto my lap.

So I worship God in song, in stillness, and in holding and laughing with my children.

Prayer and worship are part of my lifestyle with my children. We don’t just pray when I’m tucking them into bed. Prayer is part of my conversation and relationship with my children. I’m grateful for God working that in my heart.

I share this as a prayer for fathers (and mothers). I pray that you would be humbled by the revelation of your responsibility and run after God. I pray that you would see the handiwork of the Creator in their faces and be in awe of your Heavenly Father.